The first chilling image of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's killer standing just yards behind him moments before he struck has emerged. In the picture he looks mild and unassuming, in a faded green t-shirt, green fatigues and a mask concealing his bespectacled face as others clap his victim's arrival. Tetsuya Yamagami – the 41-year-old gunman who would shoot and kill the former Japanese Prime with a home-made shotgun – had an arsenal of home-made weapons and explosives at his home, police who raided the property have revealed. It is not known how Yamagami learned to make the guns, but he is a veteran of the country's defence forces – having served for three years between 2002 and 2005. He has admitted to the shooting, telling police he wanted to kill Abe because he was 'frustrated' with the former leader – though insists the grudge was not related to his politics. Yamagami was waiting for Mr Abe at the train station in Nara where he was giving a campaign speech around 11.30am today, stepping out from behind a banner before pulling the weapon from his bag and firing twice before being tackled to the ground. Doctors say Mr Abe was shot in the neck and heart, and bled to death in hospital. He was Japan's longest-serving prime minister and a political colossus who reformed the country's ailing economy and made it a power player on the world stage.
Remember Japan may be the real power in Asia once the militarists take back power—- Not China!
update:
Killer who shot Japan's former PM Shinzo Abe is seen standing just feet behind him moments before blasting him to death – as it's revealed he had an arsenal of home-made explosives and guns
Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe is in a critical condition after being shot while making a speech in the western city of Nara.
His successor, Fumio Kishida called the shooting an unforgivable act, and said he hoped Abe – the country’s longest-serving prime minister until he resigned in 2020 –would survive the attack.
Footage and accounts broadcast by Japanese media showed Abe’s speech interrupted by two loud bangs – possibly from a shotgun – and smoke, with Abe stumbling to the ground after the second shot. TBS Television reported that Abe had been shot on the left side of his chest and apparently also in the neck. NHK initially quoted firefighters as saying Abe showed no vital signs.
Moments later, members of Abe’s security detail wrestled a man to the ground some metres behind the former prime minister. The suspect was wearing a grey shirt, light brown trousers and grey trainers. His face was partly obscured by a surgical mask. He reportedly did not attempt to flee before being detained at the scene.
National broadcaster NHK said a suspect, named by police as Tetsuya Yamagami, a 41-year-old resident of Nara, had been taken into custody but provided no further details.
Police said that the weapon thought to have been used in the attack was homemade, according to local media reports. A photograph showed two cylindrical metal parts that appeared to have been heavily bound with black tape lying on the road near the scene.
Abe, who was flown to hospital by helicopter, had been in Nara to make a campaign speech ahead of this Sunday’s upper house elections. Japan’s ruling LDP party is reported to have asked for campaigning to be halted.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken expressed deep concern over the condition of Abe. “Our thoughts, our prayers are with him, with his family, with the people of Japan,” Blinken said on the sidelines of a G20 meeting on the Indonesian island of Bali. “This is a very, very sad moment. And we’re awaiting news from Japan.”
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese described the news as “shocking”, adding “our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time”.
Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen said in a statement: “I believe everyone is as surprised and sad as I am. Taiwan and Japan are both democratic countries with rule of law. On behalf of my government, I would like to severely condemn violent and illegal acts. Former Prime Minister Abe is not only a good friend of mine, but also a staunch friend of Taiwan’s. He has supported Taiwan for many years and spared no effort to promote the progress of Taiwan-Japan relations.
Abe, a conservative lawmaker who quit abruptly as premier in 2007 after one year in the post, swept back for a rare second stint in 2012 pledging to revive a stagnant economy, loosen the limits of a post-world war two pacifist constitution and restore conservative values.
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